Wings of Winter - Part 2

The Blue Bird Contingent...

I saw this fellow and a number of his friends flitting about in Baloo's favorite field - in the middle of January.  I have no idea what they are finding to eat, but they all look healthy and happy.  

Here's a little closer picture of the same bluebird.  I tried to sneak up without frightening him off.  Of course, it may have been the big, black dog that caused him to feel threatened...  Or the funny mechanical eye that kept staring at him.  

Not a bluebird, but a blue bird, this blue jay liked snacking at the fat feeder.  My blue jay visitors don't often cling to the suet hanger, but when it gets really cold, they want the fuel for keeping warm.  

Another chilly, snow covered rascal is guarding the sunflower heart feeder.  The snow was swirling around and dusting blue feathers with white. 

Here's another photo of the same bird all fluffed up against the wind.  I liked how the snow created a sort of sparkle eye shadow effect.  Very fetching.  

Wings of Winter - Part 1

It has been warm enough this winter that seagulls are still in the area. Last year, they were long gone and the bay was well on the way to being frozen over.  I remember seeing the first gull returning around the middle of March and being surprised at its call, since I hadn't heard one in months. 

These birds are hanging around a nearby harbor where the slushy snow and ice have pushed to shore.  

It's hard to get good pictures of juncos, but I keep trying.  They don't stay still very long and they are quite shy of people, unlike chickadees!  This one is in the ornamental apple tree just outside my window.  He's awaiting his turn at the feeder.   Can you believe there are still apples?  The finches have been working on them, but most seem to be favoring the sunflower hearts and peanut butter for now.  

A Longfellow Morning

Back in November, when I took some family vacation time, Baloo and I walked out on a couple of foggy, frosty mornings.

I found myself intoning lines from Longfellow's "Evangeline" with the very feel of the forest primeval all around us, indistinct in the twilight.

The trees and even the weeds were standing like the Druids of eld, though the voices sad and prophetic primarily belonged to the cows, since there wasn't much wind.

Even the bright berries had hoary beards.  

I knew that I had memorized great sections of "The Song of Hiawatha" as a child, but it was a surprise to tease "Evangeline" out of my memory as we walked along.  I didn't recall having memorized any of it!!